Whether you’ve seen an outdoor gas fire pit nicely displayed at your local home improvement store or in your friend or neighbor’s yard you may be tempted by them. It’s hard not to be. After all outdoor fireplaces provide a great centerpiece for a gathering or a quiet, relaxing evening. They provide a cozy, inviting atmosphere while they also offer warmth on a slightly chilly evening.

While the original style of fire pit was pretty rudimentary with several rocks surrounding a hole in the ground, the outdoor fire pits of today offer a wide range of options from rustic to elegant. You can easily find patio fire pits to match any look you want to create in your back yard patio or outdoor room.

Advantages Of An Outdoor Gas Fire Pit

Outdoor gas fire pits are a good choice if you live in an area that has wood burning fire restrictions, but before you purchase any type of outdoor fireplace make sure you know what is allowed in your specific area.

Outdoor Gas Fire Pit

An outdoor gas fire pit has a few advantages over a wood burning fire pit. It burns cleaner so you don’t have to worry about smoke drifting in your face or in your neighbor’s direction, and you also won’t have worry about cleaning the ash from it so it doesn’t blow into your yard. Both starting and extinguishing a fire is easy with gas fire pits, so if you only have a little time to sit outside you can still enjoy your outdoor fireplace without spending too much time lighting it and putting it out. They also allow you to have better control over the size of the fire, often with the easy use of a remote.

With an gas outdoor fire pit you can also make use of fire glass to create a distinct look, instead of using the more commonly seen gas logs or lava rocks.

Types of Gas Fire Pits

When it comes to gas fire pits you have a couple of choices based on the type of fuel you prefer. There are outdoor propane fire pits and natural gas fire pits. A propane fire pit is typically a little more versatile and many styles work well as a portable outdoor fireplace. Since varying sizes of propane tanks are usually easy to find a propane portable fire pit is something you can even take to a friend’s house or camping. If you have natural gas in your home you can have a professional run a gas line out to your natural gas fire pit so you have a constant fuel source without having to replace gas tanks.

If you want more of a fixed structure you can find an outdoor fireplace kit that will make it easier to install. Many outdoor fireplace kits provide a base structure that you can customize with things like brick or stone.

Before you start shopping think a little about what you want from your outdoor gas fire pit, and don’t forget to look at fire pit covers to protect your patio fireplace. You’ll be glad you did when you’re sitting around it enjoying a cozy fire.

As outdoor fireplaces become more and more popular our options for them increase as well. In areas where outdoor wood burning fireplaces aren’t allowed outdoor gas fireplaces have become a good option. The two main choices in this category are propane and natural gas outdoor fireplaces. But before buying any outdoor fireplace check with your local municipalities to verify they are allowed in your area.

While an outdoor propane fireplace is a better choice if you want a portable patio fireplace, an outdoor natural gas fireplace is a good way to go if you already have a natural gas line piped into your home. You can hire a professional to run a line to your patio or wherever you want to install your outdoor natural gas fireplace so you have a constant fuel source. With this type of set up you never need to worry about chopping or buying fire wood and you don’t need to worry about switching out propane tanks.

One of the benefits of an outdoor gas fireplace is that they are easy to start and extinguish. Many of them even have a remote control option so you can adjust the fire without even getting out of your warm, cozy seat. If the fire gets too warm you can turn it down to make it more comfortable for everyone sitting around enjoying it or if it isn’t warm enough you can turn it up a little.

While you won’t get the crackling sound of the wood burning you also won’t have embers popping out of the fireplace and you don’t have to worry about smoke as outdoor gas fireplaces burn cleaner than wood burning fireplaces.

An outdoor natural gas fireplace can bring a whole new look and feel to you back yard. Outdoor fireplaces can also increase the value of your home, and increase your living space. You may want to start spending more evenings at home with this type of addition.

There are a couple of reasons why you might want an outdoor gas fireplace instead of one fueled by wood. One of the popular options for this is an outdoor propane fireplace.

But before you get too attached to any specific outdoor fireplace be sure to see what is allowed in your area, there may be restrictions about what you can and can’t have in that area. Also check with your homeowner’s association if you are a part of one to see what type of patio fireplace is allowed.

Outdoor Gas Fireplaces

Outdoor gas fireplaces are popular in areas where there are wood burning restrictions. Not only do they burn cleaner but they are cleaner to use in general because you don’t have to worry about ashes or soot and you don’t have the mess of wood storage. They don’t provide the sound or smell of crackling wood, but with gas log inserts you can get more of a traditional fireplace look and feel.

Outdoor propane fireplaces have a couple of advantages over outdoor natural gas fireplaces. Propane burns hotter than natural gas so you can get more heat from an outdoor propane fireplace. This can make a difference when you’re sitting outside where the breeze may be blowing some of the heat away. Another benefit is that propane is available almost everywhere so if you are in a rural area and don’t have access to natural gas you can still enjoy a nicely landscaped patio with a propane outdoor fireplace.

Gas Outdoor Fire Pit

Propane can be turned into a liquid under a lower pressure which makes it easier to store in small containers and transport. Because of this you can easily find a portable outdoor fireplace that uses propane. This is nice if you have a couple areas in your yard where you want to use it so you can simply move it around instead of having two separate outdoor fireplaces. A small portable fireplace can also be nice to take on a camping trip.

A propane outdoor fireplace is easy to start, generally with a switch or button, and easy to extinguish by turning off its fuel source. This makes it nice option for a portable campfire as well.

Outdoor Gas Fire Pits

You can find outdoor propane fireplaces that are fixed, portable or designed as outdoor fire pits. Outdoor propane fire pits can be installed as a fixed unit in your back yard or you can find portable versions. Either way the fire pit style can provide a different look and feel with a 360 degree view of the fire. Outdoor gas fire pits are available in designs ranging from rustic to contemporary. For a really distinct, contemporary look you can even add clear or colored fire glass to many outdoor patio fire pits.

But remember even though you won’t have the cost or hassle of wood when you have an outdoor propane fireplace you need to make sure you have access to propane either through a direct line or with portable propane tanks.

The chiminea is a popular form of outdoor fireplace. Traditionally it has a bulbous shape, the larger body of it is where the wood is burned which leads to the thinner neck that directs the smoke up and out of the top. The specific design of a traditional outdoor chiminea is nice in that it helps keep smoke from blowing around and in the faces of those enjoying the outdoor fireplace.

The two main types are metal chimineas and clay chimineas. Clay chimineas provide more of a rustic Southwestern look but metal chimineas are more durable and will last longer in a larger variety of climates. Metal chimineas come in a variety of styles and designs from decorative to simple so they can fit pretty well into the design and feel of most outdoor areas.

Cast Iron Chiminea

If you want a metal chiminea that will be durable, long-lasting and pretty low maintenance you probably want to look at cast iron chimineas and cast aluminum chimneas. Certain other types are made out of metals that may be cheaper but may not last as long.

Cast Iron Chiminea

Cast iron chimineas are extremely durable. If you’ve had much experience with cast iron you’ll understand. One drawback is that cast iron is very heavy so you won’t be able to move a cast iron chiminea around much. This isn’t a good option if you are looking for a portable outdoor fireplace. But they are pretty low maintenance you just need to touch up any areas where the metal becomes exposed with some high temperature paint every so often to keep it from rusting.

Cast Aluminum Chiminea

Cast Aluminum chimineas are also very durable but they are much lighter and easier to move making them more portable. A cast aluminum chiminea shouldn’t warp or rust and it can withstand the elements pretty well so this type of patio fireplace should last a long time.

As with most outdoor fireplaces you should also get an outdoor fireplace cover, specifically a chiminea cover, to help protect it and keep it looking its best. But with just a little care quality metal chimineas should last for a long time and help provide many fun evenings outside.

If you’re looking for a patio fireplace that has an earthy feel you might want to consider a clay chiminea. Clay chimineas are a specific type of clay outdoor fireplace that, traditionally, have a bulbous shape with a round belly to contain the fire and a long slim neck to vent the smoke and keep it from blowing in the faces of those enjoying this outdoor fireplace.

Clay Chimineas As Outdoor Fireplaces

Clay chimineas have a distinct look and feel that make them unique, even though they now come in a few different styles. They were originally used in warm, dry climates and because of the nature of clay they are better suited to these climates. But if you live in an area with bouts of rain and freezing temperatures you can still use clay chimineas, you just need to take a few extra precautions to help protect it.

Clay Chiminea

For starters it is good to have a few simple outdoor fireplace accessories, mainly a chiminea cover. This is a good idea no matter what type of climate you have to help protect your outdoor chiminea. You can use something else like a grill cover to protect it, but a chiminea cover will be easier to use and made to fit better, plus a simple cover isn’t that expensive to buy. If you live in an area that has freezing temperatures during the winter you should store your clay chiminea in a shed or garage as the combination of low temperatures and moisture can crack the clay.

Before buying a clay chiminea ask questions so you know how to use it properly. Many clay chimineas sold today should be sealed before they are used. Ask if the model you are buying needs to be sealed and what you should use to seal it. With this type of chiminea you may also need to season it by burning only small fires the first few times you use it, before you work up to regular fire wood or pinion wood. And never use lighter fluid as the clay is porous and can soak up the fluid.

Clay chimineas have a distinct look and feel that makes them fun as outdoor fireplaces but they do require a bit more care than some other types of patio fireplaces as they are not as durable. If you like the look and style of outdoor chimineas you might want to consider a metal chiminea instead. Metal chimineas are more durable but they still have the same bulbous shape.

Other Uses For a Clay Chiminea

While a clay chiminea is usually used as an outdoor fireplace some creative people have found additional uses for them. Some people have used them indoors as an oversize candle holder or planter. It’s ok to use them as a candle holder but never burn a regular fire in them indoors.

They also add a decorative flair to a patio or garden when used as a planter with flowers and vines coming out of them. Broken clay chimineas are also very common for this giving them an afterlife when they can no longer be used as an outdoor fireplace.

Once you have your outdoor fireplace or chiminea all set up you’ll probably want to know a little bit about the different types of wood you can burn in it. One of the types of wood that many people prefer for their outdoor fire pits and fireplaces is pinion wood.

Pinion wood is popular for a few reasons. For starters it has a wonderful aroma as it burns in your outside fireplace. It smells like pine, truly giving you the feeling of being in the great outdoors, which isn’t always easy to feel in the middle of suburbia. I’ve heard some people say that it smells like a fresh cut Christmas tree.

Another important benefit of burning pinion wood is that it repels mosquitoes. For many this may be the most important benefit because it allows you to enjoy being outside around your cozy outdoor fireplace without the unpleasant distraction of those pesky bugs and without having to slather on the not-so-pleasant bug spray. Some people even start a pinion wood fire when it’s still hot outside just to keep the bugs away because it’s so effective.

Along with these benefits pinion wood is also easy to light, it puts out a good amount of heat, it burns for a long time and once the fire is no longer burning you’ll find very little ash left to clean so it makes a great chiminea firewood. For the most part it’s a low maintenance fire wood making it even more tempting to enjoy outdoor fireplaces as often as you can.

If you want the pinion wood for your outdoor chiminea it won’t be a problem because many sellers will cut the wood to fit in chimineas or smaller outdoor fire pits. Some places where you buy pinion wood will even custom cut the wood for you.

When it comes to outdoor fireplace construction there are a lot of things you need to consider, from what is allowed in your area to what type of outdoor fireplace you prefer to safety concerns. But once you work through these things you can create a beautiful and relaxing setting in your own back yard. It’s all worth the effort when you are relaxing by your new outdoor fireplace enjoying the warm glow and the stars above.

Check Local Codes Before Starting Outdoor Fireplace Construction

It is important to check with your local municipalities to learn more about the local codes and laws in your area before you start looking at outdoor fireplace designs. Certain areas have more restrictions in order to maintain the air quality. In certain areas weather conditions can create an inversion which can trap the particles of smoke decreasing the air quality. Wood burning outdoor fireplaces can create problems with air pollutions in these inversion areas, so some local laws prohibit wood burning varieties. If your area restricts wood burning you can look for an approved gas outdoor fireplace that uses propane or natural gas.

Types Of Outdoor Fireplaces

Custom Outdoor Fireplace

When you are deciding what type of outdoor fireplace there are a couple of considerations. One of the first decisions you may want to make is whether you want a wood burning or gas outdoor fireplace. Of course based on the laws in your area that choice may already be made for you. A wood burning outdoor fireplace will provide you with more of a rustic campfire feel, with the crackling sound and the smell of burning wood. A gas outdoor fireplace will burn cleaner and it is easier to light.

The other choice you need to make is whether you want a custom masonry fireplace or whether you want one that is prefabricated like an outdoor fireplace kit. A custom masonry fireplace can provide a very customized and distinct look for your outdoor area, but it will take more time and a bigger budget. They are built from the ground up so they need to be done by a professional as they have specific engineering requirements and structural calculations which can vary depending on the type of soil is in your area.

Outdoor fireplace kits are a better option for those who are somewhat experienced and want to do it themselves. An outdoor fireplace kit will provide all the necessary parts in the right proportions to build a functional outdoor fireplace. Fireplace kits are less expensive than the masonry version, but that doesn’t mean they are plain. You can customize the look by adding stone or brick to get the look of traditional brick or stone outdoor fireplaces.

It is also important to determine what type of outside fireplace will withstand the weather conditions in your area. One that would be perfect for the Southwest may not work so well in the climate in the Northeast.

Outdoor Fireplace Safety

Before you start any outdoor fireplace construction make sure you consider fire safety first. Make sure the fireplace will be positioned in a way that won’t create any risk to vegetation and especially not to your home in the case an ember jumps of the fire. Be especially careful around wood decks and around trees and bushes. Because this is a significant and lasting project you may want to consult a local fire professional to help with any outdoor fireplace construction safety concerns.